18 x 24 Canvas

Immigration is a hot issue, with many complex facets. This painting explores the notion that
the personal, cultural, and national concerns brought to the table by all stakeholders merge
as well as collide: diminishing resources, traveling through the desert, legal regulations,
risks taken for the dream of a new life, loyality for homeland left behind., ethical dilemmas.
As the hourglass indicates, “Time Will Tell.”

What makes it mixed media? The main canvas was expanded upward by attaching
a nationalistic “suitcase” canvas above it. Incisions down into the canvas expose
multiple layers of hidden meanings,represented by barbed wire, a desert landscape,
and an hourglass.

Beginnings deals with the creative process; facing “different-ness,” venturing
ourside our comfort zones; and accepting multiple points of view while remaing
true to ourselves. Images of emergence; seeds; inspiration; and connections
with what has gone before ask the viewer to venture beyond what is considered
“normal.”

What makes it mixed media? The main canvas was expanded upward by attaching
a nationalistic “suitcase” canvas above it. Incisions down into the canvas expose
multiple layers of hidden meanings,represented by barbed wire, a desert landscape,
and an hourglass.

Game Plan speaks to the evolutionary relationship between males and females,
who are engaged in a primal “game” that ties them together. The key to unlock
the handcuff hangs from the fourth finger of the female hand. However, in order
to release the handcuffs, the entire game must be compromised. Tension prevails.

What makes it mixed media? The handcuffs are real and hang down from the
canvas. There is a circular incision into the upper left canvas that contains a
miniature earth wrapped in string that “winds” up the evolutionary plan to let it
spin out. A tromp d’oeil effect is achieved with the string: some of it is real, and
some of it is painted. A real key hangs from a real string tied around the fourth
finger of the female hand.

Growing Interest is a light-hearted look at growth; rebirth; “green thumbs” and being
firmly planted in the ground. The currency is United States mint; but what does money
truly mean for one’s development?

The woman is examining the implications of stem cell research. By analyzing the human
genome, harvesting stem cells for medicine, and altering DNA, we are also redefining our
traditional concept of what it is to be human. Will this also change our concept of God?

What makes it mixed media? The black magnifying glass clip is inserted into the
upper left edge of the Petri dish, and the flexible support extends the magnifying
glass directly over the image of a fetus.

In Memorium is a tribute to Theo Van Gogh, a Dutch independent filmmaker who
was assassinated in Amsterdam by a Muslim extremist for producing a short film
that was critical of the treatment of Muslim women. The unrepentant murderer
was captured, tried, and imprisoned by Dutch authorities. The small canvas
that protrudes from the large image is a frame from his film “Submission.” The
writing on the woman’s back is from the Koran, and elucidates the unfavorable
status of women. Other references in the painting include the bombing of the
English subways and buses, the security “baggage” the rest of the world must
now carry, and the courage of the emergency personnel who ran up the stairs
and into danger to save civilians in the Twin Towers. The painting also urges
viewers to consider the key role Muslim women must play in the future of
the world.

What makes it mixed media? The small canvas and red ladder protrude
from the lower left quadrant of the canvas.

Ominous shadows of my past selves follow me on my journey through time. To help keep
these reminders of past regrets in check, I’ve needed to draw upon the services of my
animated “super heroes” to keep them from inhibiting my future progress. Humor is a
powerful tool!

What makes it mixed media? The canvases are attached to each other at right
angles, and the “Bendables” are positioned on and around the surfaces.

Lost Love explores an older woman’s feelings about the life-changing decisions that she
made when she was young. Her perspective on the choice (tattoo) has clearly changed
over time, and her current attitude is ambivalent. The snake (temptation) winds its way
in and out of the frame of life, but is always present, although treated differently.

What makes it mixed media? The old woman is painted on a real mirror, and viewers
can catch glimpses of themselves (looking into their own futures) as they examine
the piece. The snake slithers out of the old woman’s frame, into the young woman’s
frame, and finally emerges from its 2-dimensional existence in the viewer’s “frame”
of 3-dimensional reality.

Masks depicts the psyche of a woman struggling with subconscious conflict. There is a
“disconnect” between her inner and outer worlds, and a massive yearning for balance.
She is of Barbie Doll descent, deserving of plush purple velvet; yet is forced to survive
in an abrasive burlap world. Her DNA on the dominoes cannot be controlled, and the
spring starts a cascading effect that controls her perceptions. Only music penetrates
the barriers.

These words heralded the beginning of a new era of self-examination for my 19-year-old
“princess” self. Once counseling began, the finger of blame could no longer be pointing
everywhere else but at me!

What makes it mixed media? The princess’ veil is translucent, and there is a falling
rock that protrudes from the canvas in the lower left corner, attached to a small mirror.
The mirror reflects a “finger of blame” pointing back at the princess.